Yardage measuring device



April 20, 1943. H. w. GILBERT YARDAGE MEASURING DEVICE Filed April 25, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. IL 5515 T HER/46A Wm: BY W ATTORNEY.

April '20, 1943. H. w. GILBERT YARDAGE MEASURING DEVICE Filed April 25, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 256/6 TEE 32 EEG/S 75/1 IN VENTOR. 61L BERT ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 20, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in yardage measuring devices.

More specifically, the invention proposes measuring devices as mentioned, which are particularly adapted for application to cloth laying up machines, cloth unwinding machines, and similar machines generally used in the cutting rooms of cloth manufacturing companies.

In one form of the invention the yardage measuring devices are particularly intended for cloth laying up machines, or unwinding machines having guide means for the cloth and including frames. Each yardage measuring device is characterized by a drum rotatively mounted on the frame at a location over which said cloth passes, and it is proposed that said drum b provided with a peripheral groove over which said cloth extends. It is further proposed to provide a finger movably supported on the frame and adapted to rest on said cloth which is over said peripheral groove, and to move into the groove when the end of the webof cloth passes. A mechanism is furthermore proposed for causing the operation of a yardage register during that period of time that the finger is held by the cloth web from entering the groove. It is proposed that as soon as the finger enters the groove the mechanism should operate to disconnect the yardage register.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a schematic elevational view of a cloth laying up machine provided with a yardage measuring device constructed in accordance with this invention,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged elevational view looking in the direction of the line 22 of Fig. 1, but illustrated with certain parts broken away to disclose interior parts.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2 but drawn on a reduced scale.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of an unwinding machine provided With a yardage measuring device constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig, 5 is a fragmentary elevational view looking in the direction of the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

In Figs. 1-3 inclusive the yardage measuring device has been disclosed applied to a cloth laying up machine ill having guiding means for the cloth including a frame II. The web of cloth which is being laid by the cloth laying up machine is indicated by reference numeral I3. The yardage measuring device includes a drum 30 rotatively mounted on th frame II at a location over which the cloth web 13 passes (see Fig. 1). The drum 39 has a peripheral groove 3i over which a portion of the web of cloth l3 also extends. A yardage register 32 is supported by a bracket 33 mounted on the frame II. The yardage register 32 is of standard construction, forming no part of the invention and therefore details thereof will not be given in this specification. However, the yardage register 32 is provided with a rotative operator shaft lhe bracket 33 so supports the yardage register 32 that the operator shaft 34 is coaxial with the drum 30.

A transmission 35 connects the drum 3% with the operator 34 and includes a clutch 36 capable of being opened to disconnect the drum 3! and the operator shaft 34. More specifically, the transmission 35 includes a collar 3i slidably mounted on the operator shaft 34. A key 38 connects the operator shaft 34 and the collar 31 in such a way that the parts are nonwotatively connected, and yet the collar 37 is free to slide longitudinally of the operator shaft. The drum 30 has a reduced end portion 38 provided with a projecting stud portion 39 engaging into an opening 46 formed in the adjacent end of the collar 37. The clutch 36 includes a gripping face M on one end of the collar 31 cooperative with a complementary gripping face member 42 fixedly mounted on the stud portion 39. The clutch 36 is closed when the gripping face 4i engages the complementary gripping member 42. R0- tations from the drum 33 are then transmitted to the operator shaft 34.

A finger 44 is movably supported on the frame H and is adapted to rest on the cloth web l3 which is over the said peripheral groove 3|. More specifically, the finger 44 is mounted upon one end of a rod 45 which is turnably mounted through a tube 46 fixedly supported on the frame H. Means is provided for urging the finger 44 into said peripheral groove 3! when the end of said cloth web l3 moves off said drum 30. This means comprises a radially offset end 45a formed on one end of the rod 45, and a Weight 4'! mounted on said radially extended end 45a.

Means is provided for opening the clutch 36 when said finger 44 moves into said peripheral groove 3!. This means includes a cam disc 48 rotatively mounted on the collar 31. More specifically, the collar 31 is formed with a recessed end 49. The cam disc 48 rotatively engages on this recessed end 49. A small annular member 58 is mounted on the recessed end. 49 and holds the cam disc from comin off the collar 31. The cam disc 48 may remain stationary while the collar 31 turns. The weight 41 is so positioned relative to the cam disc 48 that when the finger 44 engages in the groove 3|, the weight 41 engages against the curved edge portion of the cam disc 48 forcing it laterally and causing the gripping surface 4| to disengage from the complementary gripping member 42. An expansion spring 50' is coaxially mounted on the operator shaft 34 and acts between the casing of the register 32 and the collar 37 for normally urging the clutch 36 closed. When the finger 44, is lifted out of the peripheral groove 3i, the weight 4'! will be lifted on the cam disc 38 and then the spring 50 will close the clutch 38 by shifting the collar 37 towards the right,'as illustrated in Fig. 6.

The operation of this form of the invention is as follows: 7

With the parts in the positions illustrated in Fig. l the yardage register 32 will operate and measure the yardage of the cloth web l3 as the cloth laying up machine Ill is operated. The web i3 rotates the drum 33, and rotations from the drum are transmitted by the clutch 36 and the transmission 35 to the operator shaft 34 of the yardage register 32. When the end of the cloth web l3 passes off the drum 33 the weight 41 will pivot the rod 45 causing the finger 44 to drop into the peripheral roove 3 I. When this happens the weight 41 moves against the cam disc 48 prying the cam disc towards the left and opening the clutch 33, as illustrated in Fig. 6. With the parts in this position the yardage register 32 will stop even though the drum 33 keeps spinning due to the spinning action of the cloth web i3 when the end of the cloth web was reached.

A cloth web simliar to the web I3 may be easily threaded upon the cloth laying up machine by merely lifting the weight 47 so that the finger 44 lifts out from the peripheral groove 3|. The web l3 may then be slipped beneath the finger 44 and thus over the drum 3%.

In Figs. 4 and another application of the invention is disclosed in which the yardage measuring device is applied to a cloth unwinding machine 52. This cloth unwinding machine is provided with guiding means for the cloth web 53. The cloth unwinding machine 52 is also provided with the usual support rollers 5d arranged in an arouate path for supporting a roll of the cloth from whichthe web 53 is drawn. The machine 52 is also provided with a frame 55. The yardage measuring device includes a drum 30 rotatively mounted on the frame 55 and provided with a peripheral groove 3! over which the cloth web 53 extends.

A yardage register 32 is mounted upon the frame 55 by a bracket 33. This yardage register is provided with an operator shaft 34. A transmission 35 connects the drum 30 and the operator shaft 31 and includes a clutch 36 capable of being opened to disconnect said drum and operator shaft. A finger 4i is movably supported on the frame 55 and is adapted to rest on said cloth web 53 which is over said peripheral groove 3!. Means is provided for urging the finger 44 into said peripheral groove 3| when the end of said cloth web 53 moves off said drum 30. Means is also provided for opening said clutch 36 when said finger 44 moves into said peripheral groove 3|.

In other respects this form of the invention is identical to the form shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, and like parts are identified by like reference numerals.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. 111 a machine of the class described having guiding means for the cloth including a frame, a drum rotatively mounted on said frame at a location over which said cloth passes and said drum having a peripheral groove over which said cloth will extend, a yardage register having a rotative operator shaft, a transmission connecting said drum and operator shaft and including a clutch having parts with engaging gripping faces which are capable of being opened to disconnect said drum and operator shaft, a finger movably supported on said frame and adapted to rest on said cloth which is over said peripheral groove,

means for urging said finger into said peripheral groove when the end of said cloth moves off said drum, and means for opening said clutch when said finger moves into said peripheral groove, comprising a cam on one of said parts of said clutch for opening up said parts when actuated by moving laterally, a rod connected with said finger to mo e when the finger moves, and a member on said rod to move radially inwards of said cam for actuating said cam upon movement of said rod, said cam being in the form of a. disc having a laterally curved edge portion, and said member engagin said curved edge portion and forcing said cam laterally when moving radially inwards.

2. In a machine of the class described having guiding means for the cloth including a frame, a drum rotatively mounted on said frame at a location over which said cloth passes and said drum having a peripheral groove over which said cloth will extend, a yardage register having a rotative operator shaft, a transmission connecting said drum and operator shaft and including a clutch having parts with engaging gripping faces which are capable of being opened to disconnect said drum and operator shaft, a finger movably supported on said frame and adapted to rest on said cloth which is over said peripheral groove, means for urging said finger into said peripheral groove when the end of said cloth moves off said drum, and means for opening said clutch when said finger moves into said peripheral-groove, comprising a cam on one of said parts of said clutch for opening up said parts when actuated by moving laterally, a rod connected with said finger to move when the finger moves, and a member on said rod to move radially inwards of said cam for actuating said cam upon movement of said rod, said cam being in the form of a disc having a laterally curved edge portion, and said member engaging said curved edge portion and forcing said cam laterally when moving radially inwards, said means for moving said finger into said groove comprising the weight of said member producing a turn torque on said rod in a direction which urges said finger inwards of said groove.

3. In a machine of the class described having guiding means for the cloth including a frame, a drum rota-tively mounted on said frame at a location over whichsaid cloth passes and said drum having a peripheral groove over which said cloth will extend, a yardage register having a rotative operator shaft, a transmission connecting said drum and operator shaft and including a clutch capable of being opened to disconnect said drum and operator shaft, a finger movably supported on said frame and adapted to rest on said cloth which is over said peripheral groove, means for urging said finger into said peripheral groove when the end of said cloth moves off said drum, and means for opening said clutch when said finger moves into said peripheral groove, said means for urging said finger into said groove comprising a turnably mounted rod supporting said finger and having a radially ofiset portion, and a weight mounted on said offset portion, said means for opening said clutch comprising a cam engageable by said weight said cam being operatively connected with said clutch.

4, In a machine of the class described, having a rotative drum with a peripheral groove over which cloth passes, a yardage register having a rotative operator shaft axially aligned with said drum, a collar slidably and nonrotatively mounted on said shaft, aclutch member fixedly mounted on one end of said drum adjacent said collar, complementary clutch gripping faces on said collar and member, resilient means urging said collar towards said member for engaging said gripping faces, a disc cam mounted on said collar for moving same when moved laterally to disengage said gripping faces, a finger adapted to rest on said cloth which is over said peripheral groove, a turnably supported rod parallel to the axis of said drum and supporting said finger and having an offset end portion extendin laterally of said cam and a cam operator weight mounted on said ofiset end portion and engaging said cam and moving it laterally for actuating said cam when said finger moves.

5. In a machine of the class described, having a rotative drum with a peripheral groove over which cloth passes, a yardage register having a rotative operator shaft axially aligned with said drum, a collar slidably and nonrotatively mounted on said shaft, a clutch member fixedly mounted on one end of said drum adjacent said collar, complementary clutch gripping faces on said collar and member, resilient means urging said collar towards said member for engaging said gripping faces, a disc cam mounted on said collar for moving same when moved laterally to disengage said gripping faces, a finger adapted to rest on said cloth which is over said peripheral groove, 2. turnably supported rod parallel to the axis of said drum and supporting said finger and having an offset end portion extending laterally of said cam and a cam operator weight mounted on said offset end portion and engaging said cam and moving it laterally for actuating said cam when said finger moves, said resilient means comprising an eX- pansion spring coaxially mounted on said shaft and acting between said yardage meter and said collar and urging said cam against said cam operator member.

6. In a machine of the class described, having a rotative drum with a peripheral groove over which cloth passes, a yardage register having a rotative operator shaft axially aligned with said drum, a collar slidably and non-rotatively mounted on said shaft, a clutch member fixedly mounted on one end of said drum adjacent said collar, complementary clutch gripping faces on said collar and member, resilient means urging said collar towards said member for engaging said gripping faces, a cam mounted on said collar for moving same when actuated to disengage said gripping faces, a movably supported finger adapted to rest on said cloth which is over said peripheral groove, and a cam operator member connected with said finger and cooperative with said cam for actuating said cam, said cam comprises a disc having a laterally curved edge portion against which said cam operator member engages for moving the cam.

7. In a machine of the class described, having a rotative drum with a peripheral groove over which cloth passes, a yardage register having a rotative operator shaft axially aligned with said drum, a collar slidably and non-rotatively mounted on said shaft, a clutch member fixedly mounted on one end of said drum adjacent said collar, complementary clutch gripping faces on said collar and member, resilient means urging said collar towards said member for engaging said gripping faces, a cam mounted on said collar for moving same when actuated to disengage said gripping faces, a movably supported finger adapted to rest on said cloth which is over said peripheral groove, and a cam operator member connected with said finger and cooperative with said cam for actuating said cam, said cam comprises a disc having a laterally curved edge portion against which said cam operator member engages for moving the cam, said disc being rotatively mounted on said collar.

HERMAN WALTER GILBERT. 

